Auto Workers Issues
GM announces 1,000 layoffs in Kansas amid warnings of a “swift and material downturn”
By Shannon Jones, 17 June 2017
All the US-based car companies face enormous pressure from Wall Street to drive up profits and cut costs.
After UAW claimed there was no money to end two-tier wages
John Deere plans $5.2 billion takeover of German road construction company
By George Gallanis, 7 June 2017
The vast cash hoard of the farm machinery maker explodes the myth that it could not afford to improve the pay and benefits of its 11,200 hourly workers in 2015.
GM announces more layoffs as US auto sales decline
By Shannon Jones, 3 June 2017
General Motors announced 300 job cuts at its Warren, Michigan transmission plant amid continuing signs of a slowdown in US auto sales after a seven-year boom.
What we have said:
The World Socialist Web Site and the Maruti Suzuki workers
By Usman Khan, 3 June 2017
The WSWS has covered the struggle of the Maruti Suzuki workers over many years, explaining its international significance and providing a political perspective to fight the workers’ persecution by Indian authorities.
Auto parts workers fired after “Day Without Immigrants” protest
By Nick Rodriguez, 26 May 2017
Over 20 immigrant workers have filed charges with the National Labor Relations Board against their former employer, EZ Industrial Solutions, after being fired for participating in the protest on February 16.
Caterpillar, Butterball to close factories in Montgomery, Illinois, laying off 1,400 workers
By Marcus Day and George Marlowe, 24 May 2017
The dual factory closures in the far western suburbs of Chicago take place in an area already hard hit by decades of deindustrialization.
Wall Street engineers ouster of top Ford executives
By Jerry White, 23 May 2017
The management reshuffling at the number two US automaker, described in industry circles as a “coup,” underscores the complete domination of the banks and financial speculators.
Sri Lankan plantation workers support campaign to release framed-up Maruti Suzuki workers
By M. Thevarajah, 20 May 2017
Sri Lankan plantation workers in the hill country spoke to the WSWS, condemning the frame up of Maruti Suzuki workers and describing their own increasingly difficult working conditions.
US autoworkers discuss Ford job cuts, Washington political crisis
By Shannon Jones, 18 May 2017
The cutbacks are a further indication that the boom in auto sales is coming to an end.
Ford to cut as many as 20,000 jobs worldwide
By Jerry White, 17 May 2017
The job cuts explode the myth propagated by the Trump administration and the news media about the US economy reaching “full employment.”
VW trade union boss pockets €750,000 per year
By Dietmar Henning, 17 May 2017
It has just been revealed that the salary of Bernd Osterloh, chairman of the joint works council of the Volkswagen Group, totals around €750,000 per year.
French auto parts workers at GM&S; threaten to blow up plant to block closure
By Anthony Torres, 16 May 2017
The only way forward is a broad mobilization of workers to defend jobs at GM&S; in a break with the union bureaucracies and in opposition to newly elected President Emmanuel Macron.
US auto profits soar as sales slowdown threatens more layoffs
By Shannon Jones, 11 May 2017
Higher auto profits are being accompanied by job cuts as management intensifies its assault on autoworkers.
New evidence of UAW vote-rigging in 2015 Ford contract
Part Two
By Eric London, 11 May 2017
Documents provided to the World Socialist Web Site show a UAW conspiracy to silence autoworkers with access to evidence that the union committed election fraud to pass the 2015 contract with Ford.
New evidence of UAW vote-rigging in 2015 Ford contract
Part One
By Eric London, 9 May 2017
Information provided to the World Socialist Web Site shows a UAW conspiracy to silence autoworkers with evidence that the UAW committed election fraud to pass the 2015 Ford contract.
“They’re stuffing money into the pockets of the shareholders”
British autoworkers strike BMW to defend pensions
By our reporters, 20 April 2017
The strike is the first by the BMW’s British workforce, who could lose up to £160,000 each if pension cuts are enforced.
BMW autoworkers strike in Britain against decimation of pensions
By Robert Stevens, 19 April 2017
The introduction of an inferior pension scheme could see the retirement benefits of workers being slashed by up to £160,000.
“The only ones who gain from war are those in power, the upper one percent”
US autoworkers denounce drive to World War III, demand freedom for Maruti Suzuki workers
By Marcus Day and George Gallanis, 17 April 2017
Autoworkers at Ford’s Chicago Assembly Plant (CAP) and at Fiat Chrysler’s Warren Truck plant in suburban Detroit denounced the threat of nuclear war and signed a petition to demand the freedom of the framed-up Maruti Suzuki workers in India.
UAW executives get pay raises as worker pay tumbles
By Shannon Jones, 14 April 2017
An analysis of its 2016 US Labor Department filing makes clear the UAW is not a workers’ organization but a business largely funded by the auto bosses.
“It is a frame-up and war on the working class”
Support grows for Maruti Suzuki workers
By our reporters, 13 April 2017
It has been nearly a month since an Indian judge condemned 13 autoworkers to life imprisonment.
Background to a labor frame-up:
What the Maruti Suzuki workers were fighting for
By Jerry White, 12 April 2017
The life sentences an Indian judge imposed on 13 autoworkers last month were an act of class retribution for the leading role of Maruti Suzuki workers in opposing the sweatshop conditions that prevail across India.
Subprime auto loans threaten new crisis
By J. Cooper, 11 April 2017
Wall Street is concerned at the surge in auto loan defaults, a further indication that the sales boom of recent years is winding down.
The frame-up of the Maruti Suzuki workers—Part 3: The prosecution’s untenable “mob attack” narrative
By Eric London and Keith Jones, 11 April 2017
The prosecution’s narrative of the July 18, 2012 altercation is full of inconsistencies, contradictions and dubious claims, including concerning police investigative “lapses.”
Indian railway and transport workers denounce Maruti Suzuki frame-up
By our correspondents, 11 April 2017
Workers in Chennai spoke out in defence of the jailed auto workers.
German trade unions at GM Opel hold secret talks with French auto boss
By Marianne Arens, 10 April 2017
The sale of Opel-Vauxhall to Peugeot Citroen PSA threatens at least 6,000 jobs and possibly several facilities.
German autoworkers support Maruti Suzuki workers
By our correspondents, 10 April 2017
Workers at Opel’s Rüsselsheim factory expressed their support for an international struggle by autoworkers to defend jobs and basic rights.
Bob White, trade union bureaucrat who led Canadian split from UAW, dies aged 81
By Carl Bronski, 8 April 2017
White’s 1985 breakaway from the UAW was a nationalist maneuver, aimed at protecting the union bureaucracy and blocking a joint struggle of North American autoworkers against all concessions and job cuts.
The frame-up of the Maruti Suzuki workers—Part 2: The factory fire and the death of Avineesh Dev
By Eric London and Keith Jones, 7 April 2017
The fire was the pivot of the prosecution’s case, but it provided not a shred of credible evidence tying any of the workers to the blaze.
Workers across India condemn Maruti Suzuki frame-up
By our correspondents, 7 April 2017
While there is enormous sympathy for the framed-up workers, this week’s protests were a pale reflection of the support that could be mobilized were it not for the sabotage of India’s Stalinist parties and affiliated unions.
The frame-up of the Maruti Suzuki workers—Part 1: A travesty of justice
By Eric London and Keith Jones, 5 April 2017
Careful examination and systematic refutation of the state’s legal case has always been a critical part of international defense campaigns.
German auto workers oppose Maruti Suzuki frame-up
By K. Nesan, 5 April 2017
Many Daimler workers in Stuttgart agreed to sign the online petition demanding the release of their colleagues in India.
In the background of the Maruti Suzuki frame-up
Portrait of the Suzuki corporation, a ruthless transnational employer
By Shannon Jones and Saman Gunadasa, 4 April 2017
Suzuki is typical of the transnational auto corporations that scour the world in search of the cheapest labor and lowest production costs.
Days after UAW claims contract ratification
Caterpillar confirms plans to close Aurora, Illinois plant, lay off 800
By Marcus Day, 3 April 2017
There are reports of angry confrontations between workers and local UAW officials following the announcement.
Sri Lankan university students condemn Maruti Suzuki frame-up
By our correspondents, 3 April 2017
Students and workers in Colombo, Kandy and Jaffna denounced the heavy sentences imposed on framed-up Maruti Suzuki workers in India.
India: Stalinist-led unions call token protest against frame up of Maruti Suzuki workers
By Deepal Jayasekera, 1 April 2017
The CPM and CPI and their respective labour federations, the Centre of Indian Trade Unions and the All India Trade Union Congress, have systematically isolated the Maruti Suzuki workers.
Australian workers and youth speak out against Maruti Suzuki frame-up
By our reporters, 31 March 2017
Many of those who spoke to SEP campaigners signed the petition demanding the release of the victimised Indian car workers.
Allegations of vote fraud mount
The UAW betrayal at Caterpillar and the case for rank-and-file committees
By Jerry White, 31 March 2017
The alleged ratification of the UAW-backed deal has provoked widespread charges of vote rigging and fraud.
Ford warns of layoffs to cut inventories as Trump boasts of “JOBS! JOBS! JOBS!”
By Shannon Jones, 30 March 2017
Ford’s warning follows a string of layoffs by GM, belying the claims of the Trump administration of a jobs revival in the auto industry.
Indian auto workers demand release of Maruti Suzuki workers
By Moses Rajkumar and Yuvan Darwin, 30 March 2017
Indian auto workers voice their support for the ICFI campaign and demand release of the Maruti Suzuki workers.
Caterpillar workers react with anger, suspicion to UAW contract ratification
By Marcus Day, 29 March 2017
While the UAW has claimed that a new six-year contract with Caterpillar was approved by workers at ratification meetings Sunday, it has yet to release company-wide vote totals.
“This is nothing but class war”
International support grows for petition to free framed-up Maruti Suzuki workers
By Jerry White, 29 March 2017
Workers and youth from 33 countries on five continents have signed the petition, with many denouncing the frame-up and expressing solidarity with the imprisoned Indian workers.
UK: Strikers at Fujitsu support release of framed-up Maruti Suzuki workers
By our reporters, 29 March 2017
The pickets expressed their support for the campaign to release the Maruti Suzuki workers by applauding a Socialist Equality Party member who had appealed to them for support.
After unexplained delay, UAW claims ratification of Caterpillar deal
By Jerry White, 28 March 2017
Caterpillar workers expressed suspicion that the UAW had rigged the vote to push the deeply unpopular contract past the opposition of rank-and-file workers.
Sri Lankan workers support campaign to free framed-up Maruti Suzuki workers
By our correspondents, 28 March 2017
Socialist Equality Party campaigners distributed the ICFI statement “Free the framed-up Maruti Suzuki workers” in Sinhalese and Tamil.
UAW delays release of vote tally after Caterpillar workers oppose sellout deal
By Marcus Day, 27 March 2017
After announcing they would release the results of the vote Sunday night, UAW executives abruptly declared the tally would not be made public until sometime Monday.
“The way I look at it is, the UAW is Caterpillar”
Caterpillar workers in Peoria, Illinois denounce UAW sellout deal
By our reporters, 27 March 2017
Caterpillar workers voting in central Illinois Sunday spoke with the WSWS about the years of reversals they have suffered due to the treachery of the United Auto Workers union.
“We should be outraged by what is happening in India.”
US, Canadian autoworkers speak in defense of framed-up Maruti Suzuki workers
By a reporting team, 25 March 2017
The campaign to defend 31 framed-up Maruti Suzuki autoworkers in India is winning support among autoworkers in North America.
Elect rank-and-file committees to oppose job cuts and end givebacks!
Vote “No” on the UAW-Caterpillar sellout agreement
By WSWS Autoworker Newsletter, 25 March 2017
The UAW pro-company contract sanctions the closure of the Aurora, Illinois plant and continues decades of wage and benefit concessions
UAW-Caterpillar contract “highlights” reveal new attacks on jobs and wages
By Marcus Day, 24 March 2017
What little the UAW has revealed about its deal with Caterpillar points to an escalation of the union-backed corporate assault on workers.
Maruti Suzuki workers lead protest demanding freedom for 13 workers jailed for life
By a WSWS reporting team, 24 March 2017
Thousands of workers defied a ban on gatherings of five or more people to show their support for the 13 framed-up Maruti Suzuki workers.
“The union works against us”
With contract battle looming, Canadian autoworkers at GM CAMI plant speak out
By Carl Bronski, 23 March 2017
Unifor officials have expressed concern about growing support for the WSWS Autoworker Newsletter as CAMI workers look to recoup years of union-backed wage and benefit concessions.
Campaign for release of Maruti Suzuki workers wins support in India and Sri Lanka
By our correspondents, 23 March 2017
South Asian workers denounce the frame-up of innocent workers.
Sham character of Maruti Suzuki workers’ trial further exposed
By Keith Jones, 23 March 2017
The presiding judge had to admit police colluded with Maruti Suzuki and fabricated evidence, but even as he did so, he downplayed the significance of these crimes.
The key facts of the Maruti Suzuki workers’ case
22 March 2017
There is not a shred of evidence against any of the 13 Maruti Suzuki workers sentenced to life in prison.
“Don’t believe what they’re going to tell you”
As Caterpillar-UAW contract vote nears, Deere workers warn of union betrayal
By Marcus Day and George Gallanis, 22 March 2017
With just four days left before voting, workers at agricultural equipment giant Deere & Co. spoke on the lessons of their 2015 contract struggle.
Support grows for framed-up Maruti Suzuki workers in India
By Jerry White, 21 March 2017
Opposition to the brutal life sentences meted out to 13 Maruti Suzuki workers is growing in India and around the world.
“I think it’s a set-up with the union and Caterpillar”
Caterpillar-UAW deal: Workers denounce information blackout
By Marcus Day and George Marlowe, 21 March 2017
Less than a week before they are set to vote on a six-year contract proposal, workers have still not received any details on the content of the deal.
Thirteen sentenced to life imprisonment in India
Free the framed-up Maruti Suzuki workers!
By International Committee of the Fourth International, 20 March 2017
Thirteen Maruti Suzuki workers have been condemned to life in prison as the result of a monstrous frame-up mounted by the automaker, the police and judicial authorities, with the full complicity of India’s principal political parties.
India: Framed-up Maruti Suzuki workers sentenced to life imprisonment
By Keith Jones, 18 March 2017
India’s ruling elite has imposed savage sentences on the Maruti Suzuki workers to intimidate the working class and reassure investors that it will ruthlessly enforce sweatshop conditions.
Workers have the right to study the full contract!
Caterpillar-UAW deal: An anti-worker conspiracy
By Marcus Day, 18 March 2017
In an attempt to overcome worker opposition to further concessions, the UAW and Caterpillar are coordinating an information blackout over details of a proposed six-year contract announced Wednesday.
The UAW’s corporatist alliance with Trump
By Niles Niemuth, 17 March 2017
UAW President Dennis Williams’ appearance Wednesday with President Donald Trump and the Big Three auto bosses to promote “American First” nationalism is further confirmation of the anti-working class character of the unions.
Indian court to hear sentencing arguments against framed-up Maruti Suzuki workers
By Shannon Jones, 17 March 2017
Thirteen autoworkers could face the death penalty in a case that has seen blatant collusion between company management, police and Indian state officials
India: 31 victimized Maruti Suzuki workers convicted on frame-up charges
By Kranti Kumara and Keith Jones, 14 March 2017
Prosecutors will seek the death penalty for 13 car assembly workers, including the leadership of an independent union formed in opposition to a company-stooge union.
As backdoor UAW-Caterpillar negotiations and tax fraud investigation continue
Former Caterpillar worker speaks on 2012 Joliet, Illinois strike betrayal
By Marcus Day, 13 March 2017
Caterpillar is in the midst of a worldwide restructuring, laying off tens of thousands and closing multiple plants.
GM spin-off of Opel-Vauxhall poses need for international fight to defend auto jobs
By Jerry White, 9 March 2017
GM’s move is part of a restructuring of the global auto industry that threatens the jobs and livelihoods of tens of thousands of workers around the world.
“They want to cut thousands of jobs.”
PSA purchases Opel-Vauxhall from General Motors
By Marianne Arens, 8 March 2017
The works council and IG Metall union are covering up the danger facing the jobs and living standards of workers after the takeover of Opel and Vauxhall by the PSA Group.
“The corporations are our enemies, not immigrant workers”
General Motors announces 1,100 job cuts at Lansing, Michigan plant
By Shannon Jones and Jerry White, 7 March 2017
Just three days after laying off 1,300 workers at its Detroit assembly plant, GM announced it was cutting another 1,100 workers at a factory near the Michigan state capital.
Sanders covers for UAW at Mississippi Nissan rally
By Ed Hightower and Jerry White, 7 March 2017
Sanders was the keynote speaker at Saturday’s rally in Canton, Mississippi where the United Auto Workers is campaigning to win recognition at the Nissan auto factory.
As UAW maintains information blackout on contract negotiations
Federal agents raid Caterpillar headquarters in Illinois
By Marcus Day, 6 March 2017
The dramatic operation hints at the immense criminality and fraud that characterize the day-to-day workings of giant transnationals.
“They’re laying people off and scattering them to the winds to find employment”
GM layoffs of 1,300 workers at Detroit assembly plant
By a reporting team, 4 March 2017
The layoffs are a major blow to workers and to the city, which is already the poorest big city in America with an official unemployment rate of nearly 10 percent.
“They are just here trying to make a living for themselves and their families”
US auto workers speak out in defense of immigrants
By a WSWS reporting team, 3 March 2017
While the unions are aligning with Trump and his “America First” nationalism, workers are reacting against attempts of the administration to whip up anti-immigrant hysteria.
As officials end subsidies and resume water cutoffs
Michigan blames Flint water crisis on racism: Part one
By James Brewer, 3 March 2017
A 138-page report on the Flint water crisis delivered on February 7 covers up the class issues in the poisoning of the city.
UAW orders thousands of Caterpillar workers to stay on the job as contract expires
By Marcus Day, 2 March 2017
The UAW and Caterpillar have maintained a media blackout in the current negotiations as they prepare to demand further concessions from workers.
Nine-month lockout of Honeywell workers ends as UAW pushes through company’s demands
By Jessica Goldstein, 1 March 2017
The betrayal of Honeywell workers in South Bend, Indiana underscores the anti-working class character of the United Auto Workers union.
UAW shuts down strike at Kansas City auto parts supplier plant
By Shannon Jones and Nick Rodriguez, 28 February 2017
The settlement maintains a low-wage regime at the factory that makes parts for the General Motors Fairfax Assembly Plant.
“They are leaving us basically to fend for ourselves”
Detroit GM workers speak on layoffs as deadline draws near
By Shannon Jones, 25 February 2017
The layoffs will add to the already high unemployment rate in Detroit, which stands at close to 10 percent.
“The UAW smooths everything out for the company”
One week to GM layoffs in Detroit
By Shannon Jones, 23 February 2017
The auto sales boom of the last six years is winding down as the threat to jobs mounts both in the US and internationally.
As Trump promotes America First nationalism at South Carolina Boeing plant
UAW to launch “Buy American” campaign
By Shannon Jones, 18 February 2017
The UAW is ramping up its promotion of economic nationalism in line with the reactionary America First demagogy of the Trump administration.
On eve of GM Detroit layoffs
Jeep announces partial shutdown of Toledo, Ohio complex
By Shannon Jones, 17 February 2017
The UAW is collaborating with GM to lay off some 1,300 workers at the GM Detroit-Hamtramck plant while trying to divert anger with a reactionary “Buy American” campaign.
Caterpillar to move headquarters from Peoria to Chicago
By Alexander Fangmann and Owen Green, 14 February 2017
Caterpillar’s decision to move its headquarters to Chicago will contribute to the further economic decline of Peoria.
“It’s like we’re working for a temporary agency”
As deadline nears, autoworkers speak on General Motors layoffs in Detroit
By Shannon Jones, 10 February 2017
With only weeks to go before 1,300 layoffs, opposition is mounting to the job cuts.
SEP meeting in Detroit Saturday to oppose GM layoffs
10 February 2017
The SEP and the WSWS Autoworker Newsletter have called this meeting to organize and mobilize opposition to the layoffs throughout the region.
GM makes $9.4 billion in global profits as it slashes thousands of jobs
By Jerry White, 8 February 2017
GM is doling out $14 billion in stock buybacks even as it lays off 3,300 workers in Michigan and Ohio.
GM Canada slashes CAMI workforce in Ontario
By Carl Bronski, 4 February 2017
The announcement exposes the lying claims of Unifor and its President Jerry Dias that the latest round of concessions contracts would secure the Detroit Three’s Canadian “footprint.”
“It’s not the fault of Mexican or Chinese workers”
1,200 GM workers laid off at Lordstown plant in Ohio
By Jerry White, 31 January 2017
More than 2,000 General Motors workers, including 1,245 in Lordstown, Ohio, were laid off the same day that Trump delivered his inaugural address.
“Sure he wants jobs in America—by lowering our wages”
GM autoworkers speak out on layoffs and Trump
By Jerry White and Shannon Jones, 26 January 2017
Amid all the claims about new investments and jobs, General Motors is pressing ahead with the destruction of 3,300 jobs in Michigan and Ohio.
Automakers announce US investments, anticipate big profits under Trump
By Jerry White, 20 January 2017
Over the past weeks major US- and foreign-based automakers have announced they will maintain or expand production in the US and, in some cases, trim back operations in Mexico.
Ford contract worker killed at Rouge complex outside of Detroit
By Tim Rivers, 14 January 2017
A contract worker, Ricky Mcintosh, died Wednesday morning after a fall from an overhead crane.
“The union is not for us”
Detroit autoworkers speak out against GM layoffs
By Shannon Jones, 14 January 2017
With layoffs scheduled for March 5, workers are facing temporary plant closures that play havoc with their lives and finances.
Protest by Illinois auto parts workers wins broad support on Facebook
By Shannon Jones, 7 January 2017
In a confrontation recorded on video, plant management called police on protesting workers after robbing them of promised severance pay.
“People are working two to three Saturdays in a row and they are laying people off”
Anger mounting among US autoworkers in wake of GM layoff announcement
By Shannon Jones, 30 December 2016
Young workers and temporary workers will be hardest hit by the layoffs as many gave up other jobs to work at GM.
“They have no concern for workers. You are just a number”
US autoworkers express anger, opposition to GM layoffs
By a WSWS reporting team, 23 December 2016
Autoworkers reacted with anger and defiance in the face of the announcement by GM that it is cutting 1,192 jobs at the company’s Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly plant.
General Motors announces mass layoffs of workers in the US
By Jerry White, 21 December 2016
In its latest layoff announcement, the largest US automaker said it would eliminate the second shift at its Detroit-Hamtramck assembly plant, wiping out 1,200 jobs.
Volvo to lay off 500 workers at Virginia truck plant
By Ed Hightower, 17 December 2016
The company is requiring the very workers they will terminate in February to come in to work overtime shifts this Saturday.
German engineering workers protest job cuts in Berlin
By our reporters, 30 November 2016
The IG Metall trade union and works council intend to present a business plan to management under which job cuts will supposedly be a “last resort.”
After six-month lockout, workers reject UAW-Honeywell ultimatum
By Jerry White, 26 November 2016
Honeywell workers in the US are waging a courageous struggle against corporate management and the UAW, which is backing the company’s demands for health care concessions.
The lessons of the Canadian autoworkers’ contract struggle
By Roger Jordan and Carl Bronski, 19 November 2016
Unifor’s imposition of another round of concessions contracts underscores the urgency of autoworkers repudiating its nationalist, pro-company perspective and building new organizations of struggle.
“Workers are going to see Trump is not going to do anything for them”
Autoworkers react to the election of Trump
By Shannon Jones, 17 November 2016
Autoworkers contacted by the WSWS acknowledged that Trump had been able to tap into the deep social anger and alienation among workers towards the political establishment.
Volkswagen is charged with aiding Brazilian dictatorship in torturing workers
By Armando Cruz, 16 November 2016
Workers were seized on picket lines and brought into VW plants to be interrogated, beaten and tortured.
Further signs of auto slowdown as GM announces job cuts
By Shannon Jones, 10 November 2016
The layoffs, which will go into effect in January and will impact 2,000 workers, are set to hit the assembly plans in Lansing, Michigan and Warren, Ohio.
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